Giorgio Furlani, Paulo Fonseca, Christian Pulisic & Zlatan Ibrahimović address media ahead of Manchester City clash

BASKING RIDGE, NJ– A.C. Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani, head coach Paulo Fonseca along with forward Christian Pulisic and former forward (now senior advisor) Zlatan Ibrahimović addressed the media ahead of AC Milan’s International Friendly matchup versus Manchester City.

The press conference opened with CEO Giorgio Furlani discussing the partnership between New York City FC and A.C. Milan as well as the importance of the United States Tour and growing the Milan brand worldwide. He stated the impacts of the tournament, the marketability, and progress that has been shown over Milan’s involvement in the tour over the years. He concluded by stating the United States is one of Milan’s largest markets.

Christian Pulisic then took the first question on the pressure and support that he has received from the club on becoming the face of A.C. Milan.

Pulisic stated, “Adjusting to a new club is always challenging. Not speaking the language, moving to a new country, and adapting to a different culture and habits can be difficult. However, Some of these guys and just the club in general showed me the support and the trust right from the beginning so they made the process very smooth for me and I was able to find a place where I was able to enjoy playing football again and for me that was the most important thing and I was happy to help the team and contribute and I’m looking forward to an even better this year.”

Pulisic was asked of his goals for the season both for club and for country, to which he relayed his willingness to win.

“It’s more so team goals of what we want to win, what we want to reach,” he said. “Our goal is to win trophies. We want to take the next step. We had some good moments in the last season and I had some good moments personally but continuing to improve on that, helping the team in all ways — goals, assists, but also just the way that I work defensively and learning a lot more of the season and hoping to improve off of a good start, personally, but there’s many more things that I want to achieve.”

Pulisic was faced with tough questions that were mainly focused and directed on the United States shocking exit in the Group Stage of the Copa America.

The USMNT bow out of the 2024 Copa América in the group stage 😐 pic.twitter.com/5PnMuqCvBD

— Golazo America (@golazo_america) July 2, 2024

Christian stated, “Yeah for us it was disappointing to exit as early as we did. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. Obviously, for me it was important to also take the time off and take some rest because it was a long season and now my focus is here 100% t0 be honest. Obviously, things will change with the National Team and a new coach on the way or whatever, but I’ll worry about that in the International windows. I’m excited to be here [with Milan]. I got some good rest and I’m really just ready to get started here.”

During the press conference, I had the privilege to ask Zlatan Ibrahimovic about his son, Maximilian Ibrahimovic, who last season played for the Milan U18 squad and recently signed for A.C. Milan’s “Milan Futuro”, who compete in the Serie C, on his development, watching him evolve as a young player and if he reminded him of a younger version of Zlatan.

He stated, “I would have two different answers to your questions as a father and an advisor. It’s not easy for him, he has to earn everything, as long as he’s happy I’ll support him 100%. I hope he makes his dreams come true, I will judge him by my role as with everyone else.”

Zlatan went on to add that he dislikes comparing players and stated that each player is their own self-being, and continued to note that he hopes the best for his sons success.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was next asked about the club’s signing Alvaro Morata and his overall involvement of the deal.

“I told him that Milan is an ideal place and that the No.9 position is the best we can offer, with [Luka] Jovic, the players that we needed and the surrounding [players]he will have around him like Christian, Rafael Leao, [Noah] Okafor, [Samuel] Chukwuese, [Ruben] Loftus [Cheek] behind you, he understood what he will have.”

“When you talk to these players, you need to make sure that they’re entering a comfort zone because as soon as they come into a comfort zone, it’s easier for them,” Ibrahimovic said of his conversations with Morata.

✍ @AlvaroMorata is Rossonero 🔴⚫

Adding a touch of 𝑅𝑜𝑗𝑜 to our #DNACMilan 🧬#SempreMilan

— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 19, 2024

Ibra then spoke on his new position as a Senior Advisor role with RedBird & A.C. Milan.

He stated, “Obviously, I work from a different angle now but at the same time, I try to be myself, or else I’m not pushing for what I believe in and what my ambition is and what I stand for,” he said. “I’m entering in a different zone where I have a lot to learn and at the same time, a lot to give but I have good, amazing colleagues along me. That makes it easier and we speak basically the same language. We believe in the same things. We follow the strategy we have and we are young, which I find good, positive because we’re hungry, we have a great will to make things good, but in a different way. … If you work for a club like Milan, the objectives are very high and the pressure is very high. That’s why we are a great club and we want to continue.”

He went on to add that he wants to be A.C. Milan’s 13th player on the pitch.

“I want to be Milan’s 12th player on the pitch, no, 13th. Fans are the 12th and I am the 13th.” concluded Ibra.

Head Coach Paolo Fonesca was relayed that Milan last season allowed more goals than any of the previous 8 seasons and was asked what type of football he wants to bring to Milan.

He firstly stated that he wanted to improve the defensive structure altogether. He stated, “We’ll defend differently from last season. I don’t want to make comparisons, but it will be different. That’s where we must improve if we want to win.”

He then went on to build on the defensive structure and build on the of style that he hopes to bring to the Milan side.

“I guarantee you 100% that you will see an offensive Milan, which dominates the matches, recovers the ball quickly and makes the fans proud. We will defend in a different way, I don’t make comparisons but it will be different, we have to improve to win”.

He further stated that anyone can play in the Milan squad, further noting, “For me, players have no age: if they have quality and courage, they will play.”

The coach along with CEO Giorgio Furlani were asked regarding the prospect of transfer rumors and whether or not Milan would be active during the summer transfer window.

Furlani quickly told media of the clubs troubles over the past two seasons and to “remain patient”.

Fonseca was also asked the difference in leagues, as the coach has coached previously in the Seria A, Ligue Un, as well as in Ukraine. He stated, “The games have changed a lot in the last seasons. In Italy, not different, I was in France for two years, and I didn’t see all the games in Italy but I see some differences. The other day, I saw Como, who were promoted to Serie A, and offensively, they are very very strong…”

The conference concluded after roughly one hour.

Italian side A.C. Milan take on English side Manchester City in an International Friendly. The match will kickoff at Yankee Stadium at 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, July 27th. For more International Friendlies, you can find them on ESPN or ESPN+.